This phrase has been said in many a Zelda game ever since a certain Moblin bribed you with rupees in the original The Legend of Zelda. This common phrase has seemed somewhat synonymous to the fact that much of the series has remained a mystery all these years. As such, Zelda aficionados everywhere took it upon themselves to try and solve these mysteries, coming up with their own theories based on what they figured were the most logical explanations for certain questions they were losing sleep over.

But now that Nintendo has finished releasing the legendary book The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia across the globe, many of these theories have been either officially confirmed or teased to be truth. So which theories has this book touched upon? How many fan theories are either now facts or at least probabilities?

Warning: Potential spoilers abound!

Sheik’s Harp from Ocarina of Time is the Same Harp from Skyward Sword

Ever since the release of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, gamers have noticed a striking resemblance between the Goddess’s Harp, owned by Zelda - the mortal reincarnation of the goddess Hylia, and the harp that the future reincarnation of Zelda plays in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time under her guise of Sheik. Series producer Eiji Aonuma, when asked in an interview with Nintendo Power if these were the same harp, stated that “The design is the same as the harp that Sheik has in Ocarina of Time.”

Not exactly a confirmation, but in Hyrule Historia, there is a note on page 11 that reads, “The harp in Skyward Sword looks a lot like Sheik’s harp in Ocarina of Time. Could it be the same one…?” Considering where this hint comes from, it’s hard not to believe this to be the truth. And it makes a lot of sense, too. As this is the goddess Hylia’s harp, whose reincarnations are all within the Royal Family of Hyrule’s bloodline, the Goddess’s Harp is being passed down from generation to generation.

The Ocarina of Time Was Made from Timeshift Stones

The Timeshift Stones found in Skyward Sword have the power to control time, as the name implies. Remind you of anything? Perhaps a little instrument called the Ocarina of Time found in a game with the same name? This isn’t the only similarity the stones and ocarina have, though, as both are also the same bluish color. Many fans have noticed this, and have speculated that the Ocarina of Time was actually created from the Timeshift Stones.

This is only a theory, of course, but Hyrule Historia gives a pretty big hint that makes this theory all the more believable. On page 53, there is a note that reads, “With this talk of controlling time, one can’t help but think of Ocarina of Time. The ocarina is the same color as the Timeshift Stones. Could they be made of the same material?” While not officially confirmed, it’s doubtful that this would just be a tease of something untrue. The Timeshift Stones can control time, and an instrument was eventually created to harness its power for use by the Royal Family of Hyrule.

The Temple of Time in Ocarina of Time Was Built Over Skyward Sword’s Sealed Temple

When people saw a Temple of Time in Skyward Sword, they had some questions. For one thing, it’s in the desert. The famous Temple of Time from Ocarina of Time was not. But here’s the thing: those are two different Temples of Time. You see, the Temple of Time seen in Ocarina of Time is actually the Sealed Temple seen in Skyward Sword. Or at least, it was built OVER that temple. This was merely speculation before, but as Hyrule Historia states on page 77, “The only entrance to the Sacred Realm’s Temple of Light, the Temple of Time shares the same name as the temple in the Lanayru Desert of the Era of the Goddess Hylia. It is thought that Rauru built the Temple of Time directly over the ruins of the Sealed Temple.”

Sure, it says “it is thought,” but this really is the most likely scenario. I mean, think about it: Who is Zelda? She is the goddess Hylia reborn. And what is the Sealed Temple? The Temple of Hylia. Now think about Ocarina of Time; who is Zelda? She is the Sage of Time. And what is the Temple of Time? Zelda’s designated temple. Not only that, but this temple also houses the Master Sword, which was originally resting in the Sealed Temple long before. Furthermore, there are actual depictions of the six Sage Medallions on the ceiling of the entrance to the Sealed Temple. And as we know, the Six Sages gather inside the Temple of Light in the Sacred Realm. But aside from all that, taking a look at the image above pretty much makes it obvious, doesn’t it?

Rauru from Ocarina of Time is Also Kaepora Gaebora

Remember that owl that appears in Ocarina of Time? Of course you do. Who could possibly forgot that guy? He goes by the name of Kaepora Gaebora, and he’s actually more than meets the eyes (all four of them). For a while, people thought there may have been some connection between this talking owl who stalks watches over Link during his boyhood adventures and the Sage of Light Rauru. He is a sage, after all, so it’s most certainly a possibility that he can disguise himself as an animal.

This has recently been confirmed to be the case. On page 87 of Hyrule Historia, it clearly states that “before Link drew the Master Sword, Rauru took on the form of an unusual bird named Kaepora Gaebora, watching over the boy as he progressed in his adventure.” So there you have it. Rauru, Sage of Light, is officially an unusual bird.

Link is Searching for Navi at the Beginning of Majora’s Mask

At the end of Ocarina of Time, we see Link’s fairy partner Navi leave him after Zelda returns him back to when he was still a child. After that, Link goes back to tell child Zelda of what Ganondorf is plotting, which results in Ganondorf’s later execution attempt as explained in Twilight Princess. After his warning, Zelda hands Link the Ocarina of Time, which Link takes and, along with his trusty steed Epona, ventures through the Lost Woods in search of a friend. Thus begins Majora’s Mask.

But who exactly IS this friend Link is searching for? Is it Navi? Or could it possibly be someone else? It doesn’t really say, even though some might find the answer obvious. In fact, some people argued that this friend is actually more likely to be Saria. However, Hyrule Historia has confirmed that yes; it is indeed Navi whom Link is looking for. On page 110, it clearly states that “months passed as he wandered in search of his companion, Navi, eventually losing himself in a mysterious forest.” So there you have it – Link really digs fairies.

I don't think that the games really have a chronological time frame I always felt like it was the same spirit of the characters in different people every time with different settings and wolrds/times.

Every Link is born from the same spirit, each Zelda is the descendant of past Zeldas (all carrying the blood of the goddess Hylia), and every Ganondorf is born from a curse of hatred explained in Skyward Sword. Hyrule Historia gives us a very detailed (and official) timeline for the entire series, which shows that most of the games are hundreds to thousands of years apart, while still taking place in Hyrule most games, and that the timeline splits three ways after Ocarina of Time.

Man, Link must have the patience of a saint if he wanted to actively seek out Navi after an entire adventure of "Hey! Listen! Hey! Listen! HEY! ARE YOU LISTENING YET?!?!"

Every Link is born from the same spirit, each Zelda is the descendant of past Zeldas (all carrying the blood of the goddess Hylia), and every Ganondorf is born from a curse of hatred explained in Skyward Sword. Hyrule Historia gives us a very detailed (and official) timeline for the entire series, which shows that most of the games are hundreds to thousands of years apart, while still taking place in Hyrule most games, and that the timeline splits three ways after Ocarina of Time.

Somehow, I'm not sure how I missed that Rauru was actually Kaepora Gaebora. Funny too, because so many assumed that Gaepora from Skyward Sword had something to do with Kaepora Gaebora, especially due to the many similarities between them.

Somehow, I'm not sure how I missed that Rauru was actually Kaepora Gaebora. Funny too, because so many assumed that Gaepora from Skyward Sword had something to do with Kaepora Gaebora, especially due to the many similarities between them.

Yeah, it seems obvious now that it's been confirmed. And I too thought there was some connection between that owl and Gaepora, but then it was clarified by Aonuma that Gaepora was simply designed the way he was because it made him look wise, and his coincidental resemblance to Kaepora Gaebora is why they named him similarly. Still would have been interesting if Rauru was some descendant of Gaepora...